US Claims Iran’s New Leader Injured and in Hiding Amid Intensifying Strikes

Washington, D.C., March 2026 : Pete Hegseth on Friday claimed that Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had been wounded and forced into hiding as the country’s leadership struggles to cope with sustained American military strikes.

Speaking during a briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth said Iran’s leadership was under severe pressure as the conflict escalates and the country’s military command structure faces disruption.

“Iran’s leadership is in no better shape, desperate and hiding,” he said.

According to the U.S. defence secretary, Mojtaba Khamenei recently issued a written statement calling for unity in Iran but has not appeared publicly or addressed the nation through audio or video messages.

“We know the new so-called not-so Supreme Leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said. “He released a statement yesterday, but there was no voice and no video. It was only a written message.”

Hegseth questioned why Iran’s top leader had not spoken directly to the public despite having access to modern communication technology.

“Iran has plenty of cameras and voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why,” he remarked.

“He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run, and he lacks legitimacy,” the defence secretary added.

Hegseth further suggested that the leadership structure in Iran had become increasingly uncertain amid the ongoing conflict.

“Who’s in charge? Iran may not even know with every passing hour,” he said.

His remarks came as U.S. officials reported that American forces have struck thousands of targets across Iran since the beginning of the military campaign. The strikes are part of a broader effort to weaken Iran’s military infrastructure and disrupt its command and control systems.

Hegseth said the attacks had significantly reduced Iran’s ability to coordinate military operations.

“The military capabilities of their regime are crumbling,” he said. “They can barely communicate, let alone coordinate.”

He also alleged that Iranian leaders have moved underground to avoid being targeted by the strikes.

“Iran’s leaders are hiding in bunkers and moving into civilian areas,” he said.

According to the United States Department of Defense, the objective of the campaign is to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, weaken its naval power, and prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

However, Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the claims made by the U.S. defence secretary regarding the condition or whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)